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Chesapeake Bay TMDL

Chesapeake Bay TMDL. Communicating the Challenges and Opportunities Water Quality Steering Committee Presentation No. 11 April 16, 2009 Tom Damm U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office. Bay TMDL Basics.

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Chesapeake Bay TMDL

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  1. Chesapeake Bay TMDL Communicating the Challenges and Opportunities Water Quality Steering Committee Presentation No. 11 April 16, 2009 Tom Damm U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office

  2. Bay TMDL Basics • Prompted by inability to meet 2010 goals, impaired tidal waters and court-ordered consent decrees in Va. and D.C. • Focused on achievement of state’s Bay water quality standards through pollution caps, action plans and accountability measures. • Composed of smaller TMDLs for each impaired Bay segment.

  3. Bay TMDL Basics • Bay and tidal tributaries overweight with nutrients and sediments. • TMDL to identify pollution caps, or diet, necessary to meet states’ Bay water quality standards. • Will apportion nutrient and sediment loading limits to all jurisdictions in the watershed – six states and D.C. – with ability to allocate much more locally and to specific pollutant sources.

  4. Sharing the Load • Preliminary set of total nitrogen and phosphorus (nutrient) loads has been developed. • Draft allocations, or pollution budgets, will be determined for each of the jurisdiction’s major river basins. • The allocations will be used to develop locally-driven plans of action to meet Bay water quality standards.

  5. Challenges • Total caps on nutrient loads may be close to those set in 2003. • BUT… latest watershed model indicates it will take much more effort to reach those similar cap levels. • A sizeable gap expected between full execution of current states’ strategies and reductions needed to meet standards.

  6. Challenges • Current state strategies/plans must be substantially enhanced to demonstrate how gap will be closed. • EPA will work closely with states and D.C. to frame scenarios for new or improved tools, programs, authorities and resources to achieve needed reductions.

  7. Challenges • No plans to modify states’ existing Bay water quality standards, despite regulatory option to do so and inherent challenges in meeting them. • Success will require unprecedented cooperation among and commitment by the partners and greater involvement of the public.

  8. Why is Job Harder? • Availability of improved data on previously underestimated pollutant sources confirm higher loadings than previously accounted for. • Now using a decade of higher river flows to define average conditions, more characteristic of long term. More flow means more loads. • Reduced estimates of pollutant reductions from many “best management practices” based on better, more recent science.

  9. What’s Distinctive in this TMDL? • Directly linked to local implementation, unlike many previous TMDLs. • Backed by two-year commitments, strong accountability provisions and clear consequences if insufficient progress. • Largest and most complex TMDL, involving interstate waters and impacts from a variety of sources across vast watershed.

  10. What’s Distinctive in this TMDL? • Will allow development of geographically- and sector-specific allocations down to local level, improving ability to target actions. • Part of new dynamic in ramping up restoration, including new resources, approaches and commitments.

  11. Progress and Accountability:The Steps Forward • Determine appropriate loadings to meet Bay water quality standards in each impaired Bay segment. • Develop locally-based implementation plans to achieve loadings. • Assess current local, state and federal capacity to implement the plans. • Identify and work to systematically fill in gaps in program implementation capacity.

  12. Progress and AccountabilityThe Way Forward • Develop two-year milestones to close gaps. • Enhance and employ actions to implement needed controls, achieving progress in stages. • Track progress and take additional measures (contingencies, consequences) if necessary to keep pace.

  13. Working Together • TMDL process will involve substantial public input and close coordination between EPA and the six states, D.C. • Two extensive round of public meetings, beginning this summer. • Will take the work of those who live, work and govern in the watershed to reach the goal.

  14. Key Public Messages • Challenges great, resolve must be greater. • We all have a role. • Pollution caps, action plans and accountability measures will drive progress. • As rivers go, so goes Bay. • Actions taken will benefit local rivers, streams and creeks. • Significant implications for environment, commerce, recreation.

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